by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - More than 60 Christians were murdered in Nigeria’s Benue state in the last month, as the years-long slaughter of Nigerian Christians by radicalized Fulani herdsmen and Islamic jihadists continues unabated and with impunity.
In the most recent spate of murders, seven Christians were killed in separate attacks in Logo County and in Apa County Benue state on April 1st.
“Ikobi village, a Christian community, is currently under attack by Fulani herdsmen,” Ikobi, Apa County resident Sunday Ojo told MSN in a text message that day.
“Several houses have been razed, while more than six Christians have been killed by the attackers. Christians in Apa Local Government Area need your prayers,” Ojo said.
Another resident, Edward Lucky, told MSN: “Christian villages in Apa Local Government Area are under attack. Many Christians have been displaced by the armed herdsmen. These attacks have forced Christians to abandon their farms. There has been no government intervention in order to stem these attacks.”
In a statement to MSN about the attack in Logo County, area resident Uzer Moses told MSN that Fulani herdsmen stormed a church service at about 9pm, killing a Christian and wounding five others.
“Muslim Fulani herdsmen have launched an attack on Christians who were worshiping at a Pentecostal church in Akenawe, Tswarev village in Logo Local Government Area,” Moses told MSN on April 2.
“A member, Mr. Orolumunga Changogi, was shot to death by the herdsmen, while the pastor of the church, the Rev. Gwadue Kwaghtyo alongside four others were captured and taken away to an unknown place.”
Paul Hemba, special adviser on security matters to the Benue state governor, said in a statement about the situation in Benue: “These attacks on Christian communities by herdsmen have persisted ceaselessly. This has been happening for some time, but military and police personnel drafted to curtail these terrorist acts have not been able to achieve their objective. The armed herdsmen have been coming for attacks, and each time they are repelled and after some days they come back again.”
Nigeria ranks 6th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.